They're not called that for nothing. The phrase "America's bicycling travel experts" is a slogan for the Adventure Cycling Association as well as a summary of the kind of information and expertise you're going to find when you poke around adventurecycling.org or contact them directly.

A nonprofit group, the ACA began life in 1973 as Bikecentennial. Today, it is the foremost bicycle travel organization in North America, with nearly 45,000 members. Its mission is "to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle for fitness, fun and self-discovery."

All funds from tours, sales and membership are plowed back into the organization as support for its mission and programs. The group is headquartered in the unlikely outpost of Missoula, Mont.

One of ACA's most important activities is researching and producing cycling maps for its Adventure Cycling Route Network. With more than 40,000 miles, the ACRN is one of the largest route networks in the world -- and growing. The route actually began in 1976 with the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, an epic adventure stretching from Astoria, Ore., to Yorktown, Va. In the 35 years since, it has spread into a sprawling network of 40,699 miles ... and counting.

What's cool about all of this is the network has not been built by detached bureaucrats in landlocked offices. Real bicyclists have plotted the routes. Think of it: routes selected, designed and mapped by bicyclists for bicyclists.

Adventure Cycling's Routes and Mapping Department carefully links together rural roads to create low-traffic bike routes through some of the nation's most scenic and historically significant terrain. If you're a biker, what's not to like, right?

Some of the routes include Adirondack Park Loop, Atlantic Coast, Florida Connector, Lake Erie, North Lakes and Underground Railroad.

The ACA also publishes "Adventure Cyclist" for its members. The group leads bicycle tours, provides support and leadership for bicycle advocacy projects. (We saw firsthand evidence of that in my recent column about the U.S. Bicycle Route System.) Biking enthusiasts also will be glad to hear they can get trip planning resources and bike travel gear from the ACA.

As I write this, my head is spinning with possibilities.

Years ago, I was an active cyclist. But with all the stodgy responsibilities of adulthood and the obligation to earn a living, it faded and finally disappeared. There is no reason it should have, but it did. I know many people, perhaps more organized, committed or dedicated than me, who still embrace bicycling -- along with all of their dreary adult trappings.

But what I can offer myself -- and perhaps you -- is a pretty basic challenge: Why not? Just do it, Nike has been telling us for years. Pretty good advice, don't you think? If you agree, explore ACA. They are committed to helping would-be cyclists of all ages, even if you're absolutely new to the two-wheel world. Interested? Check out adventurecycling.org.

Bill Truesdell is a longtime business and travel writer living in Schoolcraft. You can email him at billtruesdell@tripswithatwist.com.